From Sulaiman(AS) to Salman(RA): Evidence of Imam Ali (AS) Wilayat

From Sulaiman(AS) to Salman(RA): Evidence of Imam Ali (AS) Wilayat

Introduction

Islamic traditions and historical reflections suggest that divine guidance has always been systematic, preparing humanity for successive stages of leadership. One of the illustrative examples comes from the story of Prophet Sulaiman (AS), who, according to some narrations, was shown vast cosmic realms, with organized tribes, cities, and Mosques of worship.

Although some of these narrations are considered weak or symbolic in Ancient (jewish) sources, they demonstrate a consistent principle: divinely appointed leadership exists in all levels of creation, and prophets are made aware of these structures, either through vision or direct divine revelation.

The conceptual significance of these accounts is profound:

They show that Allah Himself revealed or demonstrated that divine authority extends beyond a single prophet, indicating that systems of leadership and guidance(Wilayat) for the community were already in place.

the system of Wilayat existed even before its formal enactment, and prophets were made aware of this divinely sanctioned authority long before it was fully realized in history.

This story establishes that the principle of Imamate was not new but part of Allah's eternal plan, consistently integrated into the cosmic order and divine instruction, awaiting its formal manifestation in the era of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Witnessing Wilayat: Hazrat Salman (RA) and the Cosmic Proof of Imamate

One of the most striking narrations illustrating the reality and continuity of divinely appointed leadership (Wilayah) comes from the event involving Hazrat Salman al‑Muhammadi (RA) as preserved in the classical books.

According to this account, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) announced that whoever would be the first to bring him the news of Amir al-Muminin (AS) returning from the Battle of Dhat al-Salasil would be granted whatever he desired. Hazrat Salman (RA) fulfilled this role, reporting back to the Prophet and thereby earning the promised reward.

When Salman (RA) was asked what reward he would like ,When Salman (RA) asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW) to disclose to him one secret out of the 18,000 secrets of the Miraj. he was directed by the Prophet (SAW) to a specific mountain and told to strike the ground with his foot. Salman went there and struck the ground with his foot., the earth opened and revealed a set of stairways. When he descended, he entered a realm that extended far beyond ordinary human perception. There he saw a luminous world composed of seventy levels of creation, each containing seventy tribes, each tribe having seventy cities, and every city containing seventy mosques. At every mosque, on every pulpit(mimbar), sat Imam Ali (AS) delivering sermons.

Having witnessed the Wilayah of Imam Ali (AS) through the vision granted to Hazrat Salman (RA), and having seen that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) confirmed and revealed this truth, we can consider this principle established: the existence and reality of Imamate is now clearly demonstrated in vast cosmic realms

The question that naturally follows is whether this divine system of leadership—Imamate—was communicated or hinted to other prophets.

there could be examples, such as in the experiences of Prophet Sulaiman (AS)

Hints of Imamate in the Experiences of Prophet Sulaiman (AS)

According to classical narrations, Prophet Sulaiman (AS) was granted knowledge of vast cosmic realms, where he observed organized tribes, cities, mosques, worshippers (namazi), and Imams, along with structured systems of governance. These accounts suggest that divinely sanctioned authority and guidance existed throughout creation, with clear hierarchies and systems guiding the inhabitants of these realms.

Although the narrations vary in strength and are sometimes considered weak in certain sources, But they convey a principle consistent with the divine system of Imamate: leadership ordered by Allah, structured, and present long before its final earthly manifestation.

It is important to note that ancient narrations are often transmitted orally and may undergo modifications or omissions over time. While examining the accounts of Prophet Sulaiman (AS) and comparing them with later narrations, we find several common elements: seventy cities, seventy mosques, and worshippers (namazi) performing prayers.

However, in few versions of these narrations, the presence of an Imam is not explicitly mentioned. Though, it is understood that congregational prayer cannot be validly performed without an Imam. This implies that even if Some ancient narrations did not state it, the role of an Imam must have existed within the system of organized worship described in these cosmic realms.

Thus, by comparing the narrations across time, we can see that the principle of divinely appointed guidance—Imamate—was implicitly present, even if its explicit mention came later.

Conclusion

The narrations of Hazrat Salman (RA) and Prophet Sulaiman (AS) together illustrate that divinely appointed leadership (Imamate) has always been part of Allah's plan. While ancient narrations may have changed over time, the principle of Imamate is evident, both in cosmic realms and earthly practice. The presence of worshippers (namazi) and structured guidance implies that the role of an Imam was always necessary, confirming that Imamate is a timeless and universal aspect of divine authority.